A new mobile healthcare service is helping remove barriers to healthcare for people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage in Geelong, bringing free GP-led care directly to those who need it most.
Street Side Medics officially launched its first Geelong mobile health clinic this week, bringing together healthcare professionals, volunteers, community organisations, funders and supporters committed to improving health outcomes for some of the region’s most vulnerable community members.
Supported through a $50,000 Community Grant from Geelong Community Foundation, the service delivers free healthcare, treatment and referrals to people who face significant barriers to accessing traditional medical services.
Geelong Community Foundation CEO Amy Waters said the Foundation was proud to support practical, community-led solutions that respond to identified local needs.
“Research such as the Home Truths Report has helped shine a light on the growing challenges of homelessness and housing insecurity across our region. Street Side Medics is an excellent example of a community-led response, delivering healthcare directly to people who may otherwise miss out on the care and support they need.”
“By investing in organisations like Street Side Medics, we’re helping create more connected pathways to care while supporting the dignity, health and wellbeing of some of our community’s most vulnerable people.”
The clinic is already operating weekly alongside The Outpost, meeting people where they are and helping connect them with healthcare in trusted community settings.
Street Side Medics CEO Nic Brown said the organisation exists to support people who often struggle to access primary healthcare.
“We try to be a bridge for those people back into the healthcare system,” Nic said.
“There are all sorts of barriers that stop people from accessing healthcare. What we try to do is bring our service to where people are.”
The need for accessible healthcare services continues to grow across our region. Research supported by Geelong Community Foundation through the Home Truths: Local Insights into Homelessness report highlighted increasing pressure on homelessness services and the importance of coordinated, community-led responses. The report found that more than 4,800 people sought homelessness support in Greater Geelong during 2023–24, while homelessness in the region has more than doubled over the past five years.
Street Side Medics shared that around 1,500 people are currently experiencing homelessness in Geelong, with close to 5,000 people accessing or requiring homelessness support services across the region.
For organisations working on the frontline, the arrival of the service fills an important gap.
Joshua D’Antino from The Outpost said accessible healthcare has long been a priority for the people they support.
“It has been a dream of the organisation to bring healthcare to our guests, meeting them where they’re at, on their terms, and exactly when and where they need it,” he said.
As Geelong’s only evening food relief service operating 365 days a year, The Outpost sees firsthand the challenges many people face navigating healthcare, housing and support systems.
D’Antino said partnerships built on trust and relationships are critical to helping people access care.
“Thank you for being a lifeline, and most importantly, for bringing dignity through healthcare to vulnerable people who are often unseen and overlooked.”
The launch highlighted the power of collaboration between community organisations, healthcare professionals, volunteers and local philanthropy in responding to complex community challenges.
Working alongside trusted local partners, Street Side Medics is helping create more connected pathways to care and support for people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage.
The event also recognised the generosity of Danny McLaughlin and his family, whose legacy gift helped make the Geelong clinic’s mobile health van possible.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Sophie Kurzman reflected on the lasting impact of Danny’s generosity.
“Every health check, every conversation, and every act of care that takes place within the van will be a continuation of Danny’s kindness,” she said.
“Not everyone gets the opportunity to leave a legacy that changes lives every week, but Danny does.”
Street Side Medics Chair Jenny Allum said the organisation was founded on a simple but powerful belief:
“Every person in Australia should have access to high-quality healthcare with dignity and respect.”
As Street Side Medics establishes its presence in Geelong, the Foundation looks forward to seeing the impact this important service will have on the lives of people who might otherwise miss out on essential healthcare.
Through generosity, collaboration and a shared commitment to community wellbeing, organisations across Geelong are helping ensure more people can access the care and support they need.
